By Anshu Gupta | Founder Director
“Paani sey to bach gaye kisi tareh ab thand sey bachna baaki hai.” (somehow we were saved from the water but saving ourselves from the winters is a big challenge) Rafeeq says it all in a few words. He lost everything at home in the devastating floods in Kashmir. This year millions of people across 8 states – from Meghalaya to Andhra Pradesh have gone through one of the worst floods/cyclones. Even though early warnings minimized the deaths, other losses were still enormous.
A quick and swift appeal was sent out as soon as the floods hit Jammu & Kashmir. There was an enormous material, volunteer and monetary support from all across. During the first phase of relief work since the roads were blocked around 28 tons of need based material was airlifted to Srinagar with the help of Indigo and other airlines. Later, we started sending material via trucks from our Delhi Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad offices . Over 50 trucks have been sent so far. As of now, Goonj has channelized over 400 tonnes of relief material to the affected areas of J&K. Relief material included dry ration, medicines, utensils, sanitary napkins, blankets, woolens, solar lights, ORS, tarpaulins and other essentials.
Goonj now has a base office in Srinagar to carry out long term work. We are also committed to address the needs of areas and communities who got the least attention but are worst affected like migrants, people living on the streets, rag pickers etc. Goonj would also be initiating computer and stitching centers as income generation and training activities.
Extensive work was carried out in the other flood or cyclone affected areas of across Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, where millions were displaced and rendered homeless and possessions, agriculture and livestock worth millions were destroyed !!
Do refer the detailed presentations on Goonj’s extensive work
1. In Jammu & Kashmir; http://goonj.org/JK-Report-14.pdf
2. In other flood affected areas; http://goonj.org/Otherstates-14.pdf
The chilling cold is certainly a bigger disaster in flood affected areas, with severely damaged homes and very little in the name of possessions. For 15 years Goonj has shared gruesome stories/facts on how people die or suffer due to lack of clothing in winters. This year the situtation is more alarming. We always say - ' The Cold doesn't kill people, lack of clothing does..!! Do contribute for Rahat Winter campaign of Goonj..
For regular updates refer- www.goonj.org, https://www.facebook.com/goonj
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